Breast neoplasms: T2* susceptibility-contrast, first-pass perfusion MR imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate the differentiation of benign from malignant breast tumors with T2*-weighted perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (blood volume imaging) versus that with dynamic T1-weighted contrast agent-enhanced MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy adult volunteers and 18 adult patients with benign or malignant lesions underwent both conventional T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging and repetitive first-pass, single-section, dynamic T2*-weighted perfusion MR imaging. Images were obtained before, during, and after injection of 20 mt of gadopentetate dimeglumine; peak gadopentetate dimeglumine concentrations were calculated from the maximal signal intensity loss on T2*-weighted images. RESULTS: No perfusion effect was detectable in healthy breast parenchyma. A strong susceptibility-mediated signal intensity loss occurred in malignant breast tumors. No or only minor perfusion effects were seen in fibroadenomas, in spite of their rapid enhancement at T1-weighted dynamic imaging. Perfusion imaging was possible after conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MR imaging. CONCLUSION T2*-weighted perfusion imaging exploits the susceptibility-mediated signal intensity loss of a first-pass bolus of gadopentetate dimeglumine within the capillary bed. First-pass perfusion imaging of breast lesions is feasible. It is promising in the differentiation of benign from malignant, rapidly enhancing lesions.